Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1491557
G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M J U N E 2 0 2 3 • G R A P H I C S P R O 5 7 S T A R T H E R E H O W - T O / T U T O R I A L C O U R T E S Y O F T R O T E C DENIM FABRIC-FACED C reate an unconventional sign by adhering denim fabric to dimen- sional lettering to create a unique and distinct look. Supplies: 1) Blue painters tape 2) ¼" (6mm) MDF wood 3) Denim fabric 4) Spray contact adhesive 5) ¼" (6 mm) Walnut wood 6) Double sided adhesive 7) Sign base, Frame, and Lettering files Sign Base 1) Place the walnut wood sheet into the laser system and focus it. Close the laser lid. 2) Import the back plate design file with the red cut lines and the blue mark lines into the Ruby ® software. 3) Place the file into the prepare screen and position over the material using the red dot pointer or Vision Design & Position camera. 4) Select the walnut wood material from the materials database. Push the file to the laser. Press start to begin processing. 5) Once finished, open the laser and remove the cut wood base. Wipe any residue from the surface and set it aside. Frame 1) Add an adhesive to another piece of walnut wood. Place it onto one side of the wood and squeegee it down. Trim off any excess. 2) Place the sheet of wood into the laser with the adhesive side facing downward. Close the laser lid. 3) Repeat step 3. 4) Repeat step 4. 5) Repeat step 5. Lettering 1) Spray adhesive onto one side of a piece MDF wood and to the back of a piece of denim fabric. Let these dry for 1-2 minutes. 2) Adhere the wood to the back side of the denim. 3) Add blue painters tape to the adhered denim surface and squeegee the tape to the surface. This will protect the denim from the heat of the laser during the cutting process. 4) Flip over and trim any excess tape and fabric from the sheet. 5) Flip over again and fasten double-sided adhesive sheeting to the back side of the MDF wood. Squeegee it to the surface to secure it. 6) Place the sheet into the laser with the blue painters tape facing upwards. Focus the laser and close the laser lid. 7) Open the signage lettering design file into the Ruby software. 8) Repeat step 3 from Sign Base instructions. 9) Repeat step 4 from Sign Base instructions. Assembly 1) Peel the double-sided adhesive from the base and sign. Adhere the frame to the base of the sign. 2) Remove the blue painters tape from the front of the dimensional lettering. 3) Peel the double-sided adhesive from the back of the dimensional lettering. 4) Adhere the lettering to the walnut base using the laser marked lines as a guide. This same process can be applied to a wide range of materials including f lex- ible fabrics and leathers. is process is a simple yet effective way to create a unique and per- sonalized sign using various materials. GP